Nationally recognized pediatrician, author, parenting expert and medical correspondent.
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12/29/2025
A new study found kids who had smartphones before age 12 had higher rates of depression, poor sleep, and obesity. These aren’t small effects, and they line up with what pediatricians have been saying for years.
If you can wait, wait. Younger brains aren’t built for constant notifications and social pressure.
If you don’t wait, structure matters: shared spaces only and tightly restricted access.
Smartphones are powerful, and so are their effects on kids.
12/26/2025
Nosebleeds do not mean low iron!
Most childhood nosebleeds have nothing to do with anemia. They’re usually caused by dry air, allergies, colds, nose picking, or irritation.
What to do:
✔️ Firm pressure to the soft part of the nose for 10–15 min
✔️ Lean forward, not back
Prevent repeat nosebleeds:
Humidifier, saline spray/gel, or a thin layer of jelly to keep the nose moist.
📞 Call your pediatrician if nosebleeds are frequent, last >15 minutes, or your child looks pale or unusually tired.
Bottom line: Most nosebleeds are common and fixable and not a sign of low iron!
12/24/2025
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!!
12/22/2025
Norovirus is going around right now and while it’s often called the stomach flu it’s not actually the flu virus!
It’s highly contagious and spreads through close contact, contaminated surfaces, and shared food or drinks.
⏰ Symptoms usually start 12–48 hours after exposure and can last several days.
💧 Hydration is key — use an oral electrolyte solution (like ).
📞 Call your pediatrician or primary care doctor if vomiting won’t stop or there are signs of dehydration.
12/18/2025
Can kissing a baby’s ear damage their hearing?
Short answer: no.
Gentle kisses are totally safe 💕
In very rare cases, as mentioned, a loud suction or popping sound right against a baby’s ear could irritate or injure their tiny ear canal, but normal affection isn’t a concern.
12/17/2025
The holidays are a special time for family, fun, and celebration, but with little ones around, a bit of extra caution goes a long way. Here are some quick tips to keep things safe and stress-free:
• Keep choking hazards out of reach (ornaments, small toys, candy, grapes, nuts)
• Keep candles, heaters, hot drinks, and matches up high
• Secure your tree to prevent tipping
• Remind guests to avoid kissing babies and stay away if sick
Slow down, capture the moments, and remember: kids don’t need a perfect holiday — they need a present parent. Wishing you a joyful and healthy season! ❤️
12/15/2025
After my video on what to do if your baby is choking, so many of you asked about toddlers – so here it is.
If your toddler is choking and can’t cough, cry, or breathe, you need to act fast and stay as calm as possible. Call 911 or have someone else call right away. Stand or kneel behind your child, wrap your arms around their waist, make a fist just above the belly button, grasp it with your other hand, and give quick upward thrusts, as if you’re trying to lift them off the ground. Repeat until the object comes out or help arrives.
If your toddler is coughing forcefully, let them cough. Don’t interfere as the object will often come out on its own.
Choking happens quickly, and knowing what to do can save a life. 💛
12/12/2025
I planned to talk about the “alkaline diet” myth last month…and after the heartbreaking news out of Arizona, I wish I’d shared this sooner.
The idea that kids need “alkaline” foods, waters, or supplements to stay healthy is not just wrong, it can be dangerous. Babies and children have a naturally acidic stomach to digest food, fight germs, and build a healthy microbiome.
When we try to “alkalize” their diet, we can actually disrupt digestion, increase infection risk, and cause serious nutrition problems. Skip the gimmicks. Focus on real nutrition and balanced meals to supporting the healthy, natural stomach acid that helps kids grow and thrive.
12/11/2025
You don’t need to buy your baby fancy, expensive toys this holiday season 🎁✨
To babies, the whole world is new, which means everyday household items like a wooden spoon or spatula are just as exciting as anything on the shelves.
Little ones are wired to explore through all their senses, and simple objects actually encourage deeper thinking, problem-solving, and imagination.
Sometimes the best play comes from the simplest things 💛
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A working mother and UCLA-trained pediatrician who practices in Southern California, Dr. Tanya Altmann is a best-selling author, network television parenting expert, and entertainment industry consultant. Dr. Tanya is an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, approved by the national physician organization to communicate complicated medical issues into easily understood concepts.
As a child health expert for numerous news programs and talk shows, including Today (NBC), Fox News Channel, KTLA 5 Morning News (CW Los Angeles), and The Doctors, Dr. Tanya has discussed breaking medical news stories and controversial parenting issues.
Dr. Tanya has a broad understanding of the most recent medical developments. In addition to founding Calabasas Pediatrics, a new type of pediatric practice for today’s modern family, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA and is the Chief Medical Advisor for the Newborn Channel. Dr. Tanya’s recent book, What to Feed Your Baby a Veggie-Loving, No-Fuss, Healthy-Eating Kids was a best seller since it’s release. She is also the author of Mommy Calls, Dr. Tanya Answers Parents’ Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers, Editor-in-Chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting book The Wonder Years and Associate Medical Editor of their best selling Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5.
When parenting questions arise, Dr. Tanya has the answers—she has been quoted in hundreds of periodicals, including Newsweek, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, People, and Parents magazine. Her popular parenting events help parents through day-to-day child rearing challenges, and she responds to concerned caregivers and blogs on controversial topics for a variety of health and parenting websites including TODAY Parents and Web MD. Entering the new era of social media, Dr. Tanya is on the Editorial Advisory Board for Sharecare, a new interactive healthcare website.
Dr. Tanya has served on the board of the National Association of Medical Communicators and the executive board of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Communications and Media. She completed her internship and residency at UCLA, received her medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College.
